Bristol vs Northampton, Friday (19.45), rd 6

[Mellsblue]

Bristol:

15. Rich Lane (40 apps)
14. Jack Bates (38 apps)
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (15 apps)
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (46 apps)
10. AJ MacGinty (42 apps)
9. Kieran Marmion (29 apps)
1. Jake Woolmore (153 apps)
2. Gabriel Oghre (23 apps)
3. Max Lahiff (92 apps)
4. James Dun (39 apps)
5. Joe Batley (68 apps)
6. Steven Luatua (134 apps)
7. Benjamin Grondona (6 apps)
8. Fitz Harding (c) (77 apps).

Subs: 16. Harry Thacker (116 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (113 apps), 18. George Kloska (48 apps), 19. Joe Owen (16 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (111 apps), 21. Sam Wolstenholme (4 apps), 22. Sam Worsley (8 apps), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (2 apps).

A weakened Bristol (missing Ellis Genge, Sam Grahamslaw, Josh Caulfield, Santiago Grondona, Viliame Mata, Harry Randall, James Williams, Siva Naulago, Noah Heward & Max Malins) take on a weakened Saints side its a bit of guess as to who is worse off!

The return of BJVR is some good news. But the new centre combo with Ravouvou, making his first start in a long time (lets hope he's learnt English now), means it'll take some time to get working I should think. Should be a good match with both sides keen to run the ball.

Going on home form I predict a narrow 50-52 win for Saints...

Caps lock not working?

Some finally hits on the most important topic of discussion.

[Oakboy]

Isiekwe would not be the first Saracens lock over-rated by association with Itoje. One of the big snags throughout Itoje's career has been finding a lock who really complements him at international level. Launchbury's injuries and Lawes's qualities at 6 muddied the waters. Chessum/Martin are both good but neither are top-line in Itoje terms.

[Banquo]

Isiekwe would not be the first Saracens lock over-rated by association with Itoje. One of the big snags throughout Itoje's career has been finding a lock who really complements him at international level. Launchbury's injuries and Lawes's qualities at 6 muddied the waters. Chessum/Martin are both good but neither are top-line in Itoje terms.

Kruis was excellent. Botha., ok fair point. Who else (genuinely can’t remember) has been overrated?

Personally I think Chessum and Martin are very good in a different mould to Itoje, who is phenomenal.

[Mikey Brown]

I can't say I'd been consciously comparing him to Itoje when I asked, or even that I consider him "rated/overrated" particularly. I agree he doesn't seem like an ideal partner to Itoje at lock - if anything they would perform similar roles? Kruis and Martin are both a good fit at 5, with Chessum being a bit more flexible in how he plays though maybe not having the raw power?

I'm very happy with those 3 options and Chessum's ability to cover 6 as he did vs Ireland, but now realise this is a prem match thread.

[jimKRFC]

Caps lock not working?

Fixed it!

[FKAS]

In what way? so Ewels can finally finish a match? Or Isekwe can demonstrate his ...um...well...er..gingerness?

As sources of relief go.....

He's a better bet as 4th choice lock than red card or red-head, imo

I doubt either of the reds will make the match day 23 so it probably won't matter.

Fair, though given Martins sick note propensity it could well be a factor. Similarly, I’d think a bit of rotation might be on the cards given the actual fixture list.

Martin has said he's going to be managing his knee for the rest of his career so related injuries like calf strains etc I'd imagine are going to be par for the course. A fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row if required would be a useful addition. I quite like Coles as a player but feel he needs to work on the Chessum style role as he's just not powerful enough to be the unit behind the tighthead (though I'm not an expert on that and I'd be happy if he proved me wrong).

[FKAS]

What is the deal with Isiekwe? Is he actually any good?

I'm sure I heard it on a podcast somewhere that he's a bit of an athletic freak. Perhaps he's there to set the bar in training or they are hoping that is athleticism is still going to make it's way into being useful on the pitch.

[Banquo]

I doubt either of the reds will make the match day 23 so it probably won't matter.

Fair, though given Martins sick note propensity it could well be a factor. Similarly, I’d think a bit of rotation might be on the cards given the actual fixture list.

Martin has said he's going to be managing his knee for the rest of his career so related injuries like calf strains etc I'd imagine are going to be par for the course. A fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row if required would be a useful addition. I quite like Coles as a player but feel he needs to work on the Chessum style role as he's just not powerful enough to be the unit behind the tighthead (though I'm not an expert on that and I'd be happy if he proved me wrong).

ergo the 4th lock selection does matter....

agree Coles isnt a tight head lock.

Personally, if fit, I'd start Martin with Itoje.

[FKAS]

Fair, though given Martins sick note propensity it could well be a factor. Similarly, I’d think a bit of rotation might be on the cards given the actual fixture list.

Martin has said he's going to be managing his knee for the rest of his career so related injuries like calf strains etc I'd imagine are going to be par for the course. A fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row if required would be a useful addition. I quite like Coles as a player but feel he needs to work on the Chessum style role as he's just not powerful enough to be the unit behind the tighthead (though I'm not an expert on that and I'd be happy if he proved me wrong).

ergo the 4th lock selection does matter....

agree Coles isnt a tight head lock.

Personally, if fit, I'd start Martin with Itoje.

I did say a fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row would be useful.

Yeah Martin and Itoje is the sensible choice. The debate is whether you start Chessum at 6 and then go with two backrow on the bench for starting physicality and then bench impact or you have Chessum come off the bench and probably CCS start at 6 to give you more explosive carrying early doors.

I'd personally prefer to see Chessum at 6 and then try to load the bench with more explosive carriers so that as the opposition tires we are unloading a ball carrying bench onto the pitch. Getting Dan, Genge, CCS coming off the bench on the 55 minute mark could definitely help make an impact. Shame Pearson didn't make the squad as he could have kept the dual openside thing going whilst also bringing another carrier onto the pitch.

[Banquo]

Martin has said he's going to be managing his knee for the rest of his career so related injuries like calf strains etc I'd imagine are going to be par for the course. A fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row if required would be a useful addition. I quite like Coles as a player but feel he needs to work on the Chessum style role as he's just not powerful enough to be the unit behind the tighthead (though I'm not an expert on that and I'd be happy if he proved me wrong).

ergo the 4th lock selection does matter....

agree Coles isnt a tight head lock.

Personally, if fit, I'd start Martin with Itoje.

I did say a fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row would be useful.

Yeah Martin and Itoje is the sensible choice. The debate is whether you start Chessum at 6 and then go with two backrow on the bench for starting physicality and then bench impact or you have Chessum come off the bench and probably CCS start at 6 to give you more explosive carrying early doors.

I'd personally prefer to see Chessum at 6 and then try to load the bench with more explosive carriers so that as the opposition tires we are unloading a ball carrying bench onto the pitch. Getting Dan, Genge, CCS coming off the bench on the 55 minute mark could definitely help make an impact. Shame Pearson didn't make the squad as he could have kept the dual openside thing going whilst also bringing another carrier onto the pitch.

(originally you said- I doubt either of the reds will make the match day 23 so it probably won't matter. my point was that it did matter....anyway)
I don't like Chessum much at 6 tbh. Not quite agile enough imo. I like CCS to start, as he actually is a full time 6, lineout good, carrying good.

[FKAS]

ergo the 4th lock selection does matter....

agree Coles isnt a tight head lock.

Personally, if fit, I'd start Martin with Itoje.

I did say a fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row would be useful.

Yeah Martin and Itoje is the sensible choice. The debate is whether you start Chessum at 6 and then go with two backrow on the bench for starting physicality and then bench impact or you have Chessum come off the bench and probably CCS start at 6 to give you more explosive carrying early doors.

I'd personally prefer to see Chessum at 6 and then try to load the bench with more explosive carriers so that as the opposition tires we are unloading a ball carrying bench onto the pitch. Getting Dan, Genge, CCS coming off the bench on the 55 minute mark could definitely help make an impact. Shame Pearson didn't make the squad as he could have kept the dual openside thing going whilst also bringing another carrier onto the pitch.

(originally you said- I doubt either of the reds will make the match day 23 so it probably won't matter. my point was that it did matter....anyway)
I don't like Chessum much at 6 tbh. Not quite agile enough imo. I like CCS to start, as he actually is a full time 6, lineout good, carrying good.

A good fourth lock is a nice to have.

Chessum at 6 does a job, his carrying is very good for a lock but passable for a 6. His work rate and physicality mean he's a viable option. I'd prefer him to start and CCS for impact because I think CCS lacks the ability to go the full 80 and occasionally gets caught out in contact when starting games. I think it was against NZ they were just waiting to smash him back. Against a tiring defence when the game is opening up I think he'll make a bigger impact.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm not totally sold on that being anything more than NZ targetting him because he'd been such an effective carrier so far. It's the Tuilagi/Vunipola thing again. He's got a lot to learn, sure, but he's progressed very quickly and I thought he had a pretty good engine to be honest. He's not even starting for Quins right now though - not sure if that's more about form or minutes/conditioning.

I also think his tight carrying ability is important in allowing that angry ballerina at 8 to look good.

You're right CCS is a great bench option, but I'd want a decent lock there too. I've never been a fan of having your only lock cover being a 6 who has already been running around for an hour. If you need fresh legs in the scrum/lineout it's not ideal, surely.

[Banquo]

I did say a fourth lock or a big 6 that can drop into the row would be useful.

Yeah Martin and Itoje is the sensible choice. The debate is whether you start Chessum at 6 and then go with two backrow on the bench for starting physicality and then bench impact or you have Chessum come off the bench and probably CCS start at 6 to give you more explosive carrying early doors.

I'd personally prefer to see Chessum at 6 and then try to load the bench with more explosive carriers so that as the opposition tires we are unloading a ball carrying bench onto the pitch. Getting Dan, Genge, CCS coming off the bench on the 55 minute mark could definitely help make an impact. Shame Pearson didn't make the squad as he could have kept the dual openside thing going whilst also bringing another carrier onto the pitch.

(originally you said- I doubt either of the reds will make the match day 23 so it probably won't matter. my point was that it did matter....anyway)
I don't like Chessum much at 6 tbh. Not quite agile enough imo. I like CCS to start, as he actually is a full time 6, lineout good, carrying good.

A good fourth lock is a nice to have.

Chessum at 6 does a job, his carrying is very good for a lock but passable for a 6. His work rate and physicality mean he's a viable option. I'd prefer him to start and CCS for impact because I think CCS lacks the ability to go the full 80 and occasionally gets caught out in contact when starting games. I think it was against NZ they were just waiting to smash him back. Against a tiring defence when the game is opening up I think he'll make a bigger impact.

we'll just have to differ, rather have a regular 6 starting.

[Banquo]

I'm not totally sold on that being anything more than NZ targetting him because he'd been such an effective carrier so far. It's the Tuilagi/Vunipola thing again. He's got a lot to learn, sure, but he's progressed very quickly and I thought he had a pretty good engine to be honest. He's not even starting for Quins right now though - not sure if that's more about form or minutes/conditioning.

I also think his tight carrying ability is important in allowing that angry ballerina at 8 to look good.

You're right CCS is a great bench option, but I'd want a decent lock there too. I've never been a fan of having your only lock cover being a 6 who has already been running around for an hour. If you need fresh legs in the scrum/lineout it's not ideal, surely.

aye

[TheDasher]

I think Chessum has looked great at 6 for England - he was exceptional against Ireland there. I rate CCS very highly indeed and he's much more of a highlights/hyped up player than Chessum but I'd say the latter looks an exceptional all-round player. This is where sometimes I have some sympathy with management when it comes to selection - the world and its wife (me included) will bemoan the lack of Ted Hill but it'd take a lot for SB to just drop CCS and Chessum in Hill's favour (just an example on my wider point about selection). Personally I'd pick Itoje, Martin and Chessum across the locks and 6, with CCS covering 6 and 8 probably.

[FKAS]

I'm not totally sold on that being anything more than NZ targetting him because he'd been such an effective carrier so far. It's the Tuilagi/Vunipola thing again. He's got a lot to learn, sure, but he's progressed very quickly and I thought he had a pretty good engine to be honest. He's not even starting for Quins right now though - not sure if that's more about form or minutes/conditioning.

I also think his tight carrying ability is important in allowing that angry ballerina at 8 to look good.

You're right CCS is a great bench option, but I'd want a decent lock there too. I've never been a fan of having your only lock cover being a 6 who has already been running around for an hour. If you need fresh legs in the scrum/lineout it's not ideal, surely.

We don't have four really good locks. We have three really good locks and then Coles who's alright then the reds who are average. Unless we find another 6 or strong carrying option for the bench I think it's the best use of our resources. Now I was hopeful Ted Hill would have been that 6 but Stubbornly Belligerent doesn't seem to want to pick him.

I do quite like having two backrows on the bench as we have backrows that can come on and make an impact. The only second row we have that could make a notable carrying impact off the bench is Martin and right now we need to start him. Chessum's carrying game has improved this season and he does seem a little bit bigger so maybe that could work. I'd still like us to go down the route of serious bench impact as I'm not certain we have the ability to blow teams away in the first half of games.

All three of the starting locks/6 can go for 80 mins so I don't think it's an issue for England, just replace the one who's most fatigued on 55 mins.

[Banquo]

I think Chessum has looked great at 6 for England - he was exceptional against Ireland there. I rate CCS very highly indeed and he's much more of a highlights/hyped up player than Chessum but I'd say the latter looks an exceptional all-round player. This is where sometimes I have some sympathy with management when it comes to selection - the world and its wife (me included) will bemoan the lack of Ted Hill but it'd take a lot for SB to just drop CCS and Chessum in Hill's favour (just an example on my wider point about selection). Personally I'd pick Itoje, Martin and Chessum across the locks and 6, with CCS covering 6 and 8 probably.

Has he? I think he's looked a bit sluggish tbh, and distinctly remember a big defensive error (but that might have been at lock). You could have Ted Hill and keep both those guys anyway, just dump Dombrandt or Ben Curry or Isiekwe to at least have him in the squad. As Martin is a tad injury prone, you'd probably rotate him out of one or two of the match day squads anyway.

[TheDasher]

I thought he was very good against Ireland, he was all over the park, extremely physical, accurate etc. I thought he was good for the 50 or so minutes against France that he played too. My concern with him was stamina but he seems to have a hell of an engine. I was dubious about Chessum (due to ignorance) initially but he's won me over, looks a fine 6 or lock to me. I don't agree that Coles is a poor lock either, I think he's clearly a bloody good one.

Re Ted Hill - it's all a bit of a puzzle let's be honest, it depends on who you pick at 7 and 8 as you say, but hopefully you see my point. If SB sees Earl as the main man at 8, he'll want two sevens in the squad potentially, he won't want to drop CCS and Chessum from the 23 and it's not as simple as sometimes the masses suggest, "oh why hasn't he just thrown Ted in there".

[Mikey Brown]

I feel like Puja might have to dump this all across to the other thread, but something like the below would surely be adequate cover even for a smaller squad?

LOCK - Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Coles
BACKROW - CCS, Hill, Curry, Underhill, Earl, Willis (or Dombrandt, Mercer, whoever)

Currently we have this

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)

Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)

Which means beyond CCS our blindside cover is Tom Curry (in whatever state he's in) or promoting a not-fantastic lock to the 23. I'm not arguing Hill needs to be in the 23, it just feels like he's more deserving of fighting for a spot than Isiekwe/Ewels. I'd also say he can swap in and out for CCS, being strong in the lineout and the carry.

Chessum was great at 6 against Ireland though.

[TheDasher]

In this chat it depends on whether you see Chessum as a 6 or not, and I'm happy to.

I too would have Ted Hill in the squad by the way, absolutely no question, I was merely saying I sympathise with sexy beast in that the whole selection is more of a puzzle than some think when they see a favourite of theirs or the latest hype man hasn't been included. Ted Hill though absolutely should be in the squad.

Definitely, from all the names above, I wouldn't have Isiekwe, Ewels or Dombrandt in the squad, I can say that very confidently indeed. IF you told me that Earl was no longer an 8, I'd have Dombrandt as a back up to Willis who'd be the starting 8. But Earl is still considered an 8 by England and has frankly been one of the best no 8s in the world over the past 18 months or so internationally.

[Banquo]

I thought he was very good against Ireland, he was all over the park, extremely physical, accurate etc. I thought he was good for the 50 or so minutes against France that he played too. My concern with him was stamina but he seems to have a hell of an engine. I was dubious about Chessum (due to ignorance) initially but he's won me over, looks a fine 6 or lock to me. I don't agree that Coles is a poor lock either, I think he's clearly a bloody good one.

Re Ted Hill - it's all a bit of a puzzle let's be honest, it depends on who you pick at 7 and 8 as you say, but hopefully you see my point. If SB sees Earl as the main man at 8, he'll want two sevens in the squad potentially, he won't want to drop CCS and Chessum from the 23 and it's not as simple as sometimes the masses suggest, "oh why hasn't he just thrown Ted in there".

Coles is very good as a rangy lock- think he gets flak in people’s minds for his distinctly iffy appearances at 6 for England. He’s an intelligent player who runs good lines and has good hands, and is a great lineout operator being relatively light and with a great standing jump. But ideally you’d partner him with a Johnson esque tight head lock.

Just not convinced by Chessum at 6- doesn’t seem to turn out much at 6 either (could be wrong). Hes a top second row though.

Hill is a mystery, he has X factor for me; in Ben and Tom curry, Earl, Underhill he has a lot of sevens in the broad squad and indeed could keep two in the squad and Hill I’d reckon. It’s doable but he doesn’t rate him clearly

[TheDasher]

I'm not totally sold on that being anything more than NZ targetting him because he'd been such an effective carrier so far. It's the Tuilagi/Vunipola thing again. He's got a lot to learn, sure, but he's progressed very quickly and I thought he had a pretty good engine to be honest. He's not even starting for Quins right now though - not sure if that's more about form or minutes/conditioning.

I also think his tight carrying ability is important in allowing that angry ballerina at 8 to look good.

You're right CCS is a great bench option, but I'd want a decent lock there too. I've never been a fan of having your only lock cover being a 6 who has already been running around for an hour. If you need fresh legs in the scrum/lineout it's not ideal, surely.

We don't have four really good locks. We have three really good locks and then Coles who's alright then the reds who are average. Unless we find another 6 or strong carrying option for the bench I think it's the best use of our resources. Now I was hopeful Ted Hill would have been that 6 but Stubbornly Belligerent doesn't seem to want to pick him.

Just on your point about not having four really good locks.

This is my frustration with the Isiekwe and Ewels picks yet again... Surely this is when good managers (SCW would do this, Fergie the same) pick their best and then gamble on new, interesting options rather than going for those who who haven't, aren't and won't be good enough to be 1st picks at any stage. SB would be better off picking Itoje and Martin, Coles and Chessum (as stated I'm very happy with him at 6 too, or at lock) but then a young bolter, an Arthur Clarke at Gloucester, a Ben Bamber at Sale etc etc. Why pick Ewels and Isiekwe if he knows deep down they don't challenge the starters.

[TheDasher]

I thought he was very good against Ireland, he was all over the park, extremely physical, accurate etc. I thought he was good for the 50 or so minutes against France that he played too. My concern with him was stamina but he seems to have a hell of an engine. I was dubious about Chessum (due to ignorance) initially but he's won me over, looks a fine 6 or lock to me. I don't agree that Coles is a poor lock either, I think he's clearly a bloody good one.

Re Ted Hill - it's all a bit of a puzzle let's be honest, it depends on who you pick at 7 and 8 as you say, but hopefully you see my point. If SB sees Earl as the main man at 8, he'll want two sevens in the squad potentially, he won't want to drop CCS and Chessum from the 23 and it's not as simple as sometimes the masses suggest, "oh why hasn't he just thrown Ted in there".

Coles is very good as a rangy lock- think he gets flak in people’s minds for his distinctly iffy appearances at 6 for England. He’s an intelligent player who runs good lines and has good hands, and is a great lineout operator being relatively light and with a great standing jump. But ideally you’d partner him with a Johnson esque tight head lock.

Just not convinced by Chessum at 6- doesn’t seem to turn out much at 6 either (could be wrong). Hes a top second row though.

Hill is a mystery, he has X factor for me; in Ben and Tom curry, Earl, Underhill he has a lot of sevens in the broad squad and indeed could keep two in the squad and Hill I’d reckon. It’s doable but he doesn’t rate him clearly

Chessum - I think top lock and 6. We agree to an extent in that case, I'm very happy with him at lock too.

Also agree on Coles, and perhaps you're right about people's perceptions. In theory I don't hate him at 6 either and I swear I've seen him play well there but I certainly won't bang that drum, he'd be so far below all the other options. As a second row though he's a fine player, agreed. People think he's too skinny, I reckon it's often just that. They don't realise that he's rapid and is a sizeable unit to be honest, 6'7 and pretty broad-shouldered, a hell of an athlete - he's not just some skinny, under-powered line-out forward.

Agree on Ted too, absolutely. CCS, Hill and Chessum are great players to have in the squad, they give you a lot of options... I think 7 is a tough pick at the moment to be honest, I'm struggling with that one the most I think...

[Banquo]

I thought he was very good against Ireland, he was all over the park, extremely physical, accurate etc. I thought he was good for the 50 or so minutes against France that he played too. My concern with him was stamina but he seems to have a hell of an engine. I was dubious about Chessum (due to ignorance) initially but he's won me over, looks a fine 6 or lock to me. I don't agree that Coles is a poor lock either, I think he's clearly a bloody good one.

Re Ted Hill - it's all a bit of a puzzle let's be honest, it depends on who you pick at 7 and 8 as you say, but hopefully you see my point. If SB sees Earl as the main man at 8, he'll want two sevens in the squad potentially, he won't want to drop CCS and Chessum from the 23 and it's not as simple as sometimes the masses suggest, "oh why hasn't he just thrown Ted in there".

Coles is very good as a rangy lock- think he gets flak in people’s minds for his distinctly iffy appearances at 6 for England. He’s an intelligent player who runs good lines and has good hands, and is a great lineout operator being relatively light and with a great standing jump. But ideally you’d partner him with a Johnson esque tight head lock.

Just not convinced by Chessum at 6- doesn’t seem to turn out much at 6 either (could be wrong). Hes a top second row though.

Hill is a mystery, he has X factor for me; in Ben and Tom curry, Earl, Underhill he has a lot of sevens in the broad squad and indeed could keep two in the squad and Hill I’d reckon. It’s doable but he doesn’t rate him clearly

Chessum - I think top lock and 6. We agree to an extent in that case, I'm very happy with him at lock too.

Also agree on Coles, and perhaps you're right about people's perceptions. In theory I don't hate him at 6 either and I swear I've seen him play well there but I certainly won't bang that drum, he'd be so far below all the other options. As a second row though he's a fine player, agreed. People think he's too skinny, I reckon it's often just that. They don't realise that he's rapid and is a sizeable unit to be honest, 6'7 and pretty broad-shouldered, a hell of an athlete - he's not just some skinny, under-powered line-out forward.

Agree on Ted too, absolutely. CCS, Hill and Chessum are great players to have in the squad, they give you a lot of options... I think 7 is a tough pick at the moment to be honest, I'm struggling with that one the most I think...

Coles went well on England debut at 6, but then really struggled at 6 v SA, a poor selection tbh; he’s ok there for Saints, but don’t want him there for England.


I guess the good news is that the back 5 of the scrum should be a really strong area for us with the variety and quality and depth of players. The challenge is balance, and also chuck in horses for courses, as the likes of SA and even France (huge backrow) pose a different challenge to say NZ. Then you’ve got to figure out whether you’re first choice team/back 5 will be right against all comers or whether you change according to who you play. Good problem to have I guess.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm at the point I've just accepted it's Tom Curry and Sam Underhill as the 7 options, regardless of club performances or fitness. Turns out well as often as not, but it will be interesting to see who can eventually push past either one.

I was curious about this perception of Coles as being a bean pole. Looked quite a sizeable player to me, so I looked him up and one of the first results is a video titled 'Alex Coles - Giraffe'.